I felt pretty glad about leaving Melbourne and my hostel, the Nomads where I had spent seven nights. The Nomads Melbourne was a big disappointment to me: no heating (although advertised), washing machines, dryers, and cooktops in a tiny kitchen full of dirty dishes, pans, and pots, a random fire alert, and a shower full of vomit (only to mention a few turn-offs) made me wonder how this place can possibly be any more fancy than the other Nomads in Melbourne. Still the guy at the travel agency where I booked those seven nights in advance seemed tob e convinced that this place was the bomb for some unknown reason…

In comparison, the YHA Canberra was heaven. Especially the heating was a big plus (and much appreciated during nights around 2 degrees) and so where the clean (and vomit-free) common areas.

I checked out Canberra’s hot spots like the Parliamment House (old and new) and the War Memorial and a couple on interesting places along the way. The football match of Germany against France was an important event and there were a surprising number of people there considering it took place at 2 am. A dozen Germans showed up, two brasilians (whom I would have hugged dearly if I had known what was waiting for them and their team later in this world cup) and a Frenchman ( :PPPPP). I celebrated with Aldi chips and Aldi cola before I snuck back to bed. At 4 am.